Striving for Perfection

Do you know this feeling when after physical exertion you wake up the next day and your body hurts terribly? Right now I'm experiencing it for myself.

Now I'm just lying on the bed and trying to gather my strength and thoughts to start the working day. Or a day off, depending on which side to look at. I gathered my strength, inhaled and, together with the exhalation, got out from under the blanket. Immediately, cold air enveloped me, causing a shiver like a wave all over my body. I started to turn my head from side to side to find my clothes. Soon I saw an abandoned coat and T-shirt lying next to the closet. I started walking to the abandoned clothes, simultaneously suffering pain in my legs. When I got to the clothes, I took them in both hands and started to get dressed. First I lifted the T-shirt over my head and squeezed through it. Having finished with the T-shirt, I took my own coat and began to put it on carefully. First I put on my coat and put my arms through the sleeves. After that, I began to slowly fasten the buttons on my coat.

Having finished with my clothes, I decided to inspect my room. After taking a look at the whole room, I was able to identify the nearest goals for myself. First of all, I paid attention to the ceiling fan, which, despite the season, continued to rotate and thus create additional cold in an already cold room. Getting closer to the fan, I saw two switches hanging from it in the form of a rope with small precious stones at the end. I stretched out my hand to one of the ropes, gently grabbed the jewel with two fingers and pulled. Abruptly, the light in the room turned off and the only source of illumination was the light coming through the curtains. I realized my mistake and pulled the rope again, which caused a light to appear that dispersed the darkness. I moved my hand to the side and grabbed the other rope again and pulled it. The fan began to slow down slowly until it finally stopped moving.

I looked around the room again, this time more carefully. Right in front of my bed there was a passage without a door that led deeper into the room. After looking closely at the passage and not seeing anything suspicious, I came to a logical conclusion.

There has never been a door here. A passage without a door is a design decision. Or it was done to save wood.

Having dealt with the passage, I began to move deeper into the room. I saw how in the almost complete darkness the gemstone reflected the light as if inviting anyone who would be in this room. I took the hint and repeated the procedure with the switch again. The light illuminated the corridor and allowed me to see a single door at the end of the corridor.

I opened the door and saw a bathroom in front of me. The floor was laid out of neat and smooth ceramic tiles. At the other end of the bathroom, there was a shower stall and a toilet next to it. There was a sink with a mirror to one side of them. When I saw the mirror, a question immediately popped into my head.

How long has it been since I looked at myself in the mirror? Just so that I can look at myself in it?

When my brain could not answer anything in response, I decided to go to the mirror. Going to the mirror and leaning on my hands, I began to examine myself. First of all, I noticed the barely noticeable bags under my eyes. Because of my habit of examining and analyzing my surroundings, my eyes are almost always well open therefore, the bags are not so noticeable. If I squint a little, the bags will immediately become pronounced. Then I moved my attention a little higher, namely directly into my eyes. I began to peer into the eyes of the reflection and the eyes of the reflection into mine. I began to get the impression that I was literally looking into the abyss. I stared at my reflection even harder for a couple of seconds until I stepped back and rubbed my forehead out of shame.

It was a stupid idea.

I began to examine myself again. Lifting my gaze a little higher, I saw that my hair had already grown a little and began to cover my forehead from someone else's gaze. I put my bangs back in place and smoothed it a little to cover my forehead. I shifted my gaze below eye level and focused on my nose. My nose has a slight curve in the center and is generally similar to the beak of a hawk. Finally, I left my chin. I turned my head from side to side a couple of times to get a better look at my chin. I finished looking at the long, pointed chin and moved away from the mirror. While I was leaving the bathroom, active reasoning began in my head.

What was I going to find there? There is a difference between individuality and madness, and now it was clearly not the first. Not one person who is in his right mind will not look at himself like that. Maybe need to take a break from politics and philosophy for more than one hour a year?

I left the bathroom, closing the door behind me and started walking out. While walking down the corridor, I abruptly shook my head, discarding the past idea.

No. It's a terrible idea.

When I got to the exit of the room and started looking for the keys in the pockets of my coat. Searching my pockets, I came across something rough and cold. I took an unknown object out of my pocket and was able to recognize it. This is my long-dead phone. But now with a broken screen. It must have crashed when I dropped my coat.

"Damn." I said, looking longingly at my phone. I can only hope that the damage to the screen was not critical.

I put the phone back in my pocket and was about to leave, but an idea came to my mind that made me stop.

Just yesterday I spent one hundred and sixty bits. Ten for the train, fifty for the bribe and a hundred for the number. I need to know the total amount of my savings to save money better.

I walked over to the bed and sat on my knees. After that, I pulled out two bags of bits and untied the knot at the top of the bags and began to pour the bits on the bed. Soon, an impressive pile of gold coins was formed on the bed, reflecting the light in all directions. I started counting each bit one by one and putting it to the side.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. . ."

After what seemed like an eternity, I finally finished counting. I have one thousand three hundred and forty bits at my disposal. If I add the spent, it turns out that I originally had one thousand five hundred bits. I spent more than one tenth of all my savings on my first day in Manehattan. I need to be more economical.

I took one of the bags with bits so that it was located on the edge of the bed. After that, I started putting the bits into the bag with my hand. After repeating this process many times, I put the bags of gold in my pockets and went to the exit, simultaneously turning off the lights everywhere.

I left my room and closed the door behind me. When I got to the stairs, I hardly walked along it, wincing from the pain. I found myself in the lobby and was about to be directed to the workshop when a woman's voice called out to me.

"Are you Daniel Ctumer?"

I turned in the direction where the voice came from and saw a white mare sitting at the table where the stallion used to be. They must be from different shifts.

"The one and only." I replied, approaching the white mare.

"They asked me to tell you." Said the mare taking out a letter from under the table.

I took the letter from her and began to examine it. My attention was attracted by the seal on which M.T. was written. I looked closely at the seal trying to find out some information, but nothing happened.

Before opening the letter, I asked the question "Who is the letter from?"

"A mare came here this morning and asked me to deliver a letter to you. I don't know anything else."

I nodded silently and opened the envelope with the letter. I turned around in search of a trash can and when I it see at the exit of the hotel, I threw an envelope there. To my own surprise, I successfully threw the envelope into the trash and was able to calmly start reading the letter.

From Hot News journalist of The Manehatten Times.

Hello Daniel Ctumer.

Many, including us, are extremely interested in you. For various reasons, starting from the fact that you are the only representative of your species and ending with your place in Equestria. Therefore, we would be glad if you would come to us for an interview. We are waiting for you at The Manehatten Times Building on Eighth Avenue. You won't miss, this one of the few skyscrapers in the city. We are waiting for you there on the thirtieth of December at twelve o'clock in the afternoon. The main topic of the interview will be the rumors around you. Don't worry, we will pay you any amount you ask.

I finished reading the letter, and I got a twofold impression. On the one hand, I have always believed that an interview is a stupid thing where interesting questions are never asked. On the other hand, it is an opportunity to earn money and gain great popularity among the people. Money plus popularity equals power.

With a sigh, I put the letter in my pocket and headed for the exit. Pushing the door away from her, she did not react in any way. Quickly realizing what was wrong, I pulled the door towards me, and it opened. A crushing cold immediately pounced on me like a bear on an unlucky traveler. I gathered my thoughts and took a step into the snow-covered city. After leaving the hotel, I slowly began to remember the way to the workshop. After a couple of seconds of standing still, I was able to remember the way to the workshop and started walking towards it. Every step I took caused a small but still annoying pain in my legs. Approaching the workshop, I noticed that the trash can that I kicked yesterday is still in place and is holding up with dignity despite the injury.

I stopped in front of the store and shook my head to dismiss unnecessary thoughts. Gathering my thoughts, I checked the dagger that I had taken from the mercenary who attacked me. I put the dagger between my belt and trousers so that it could be easily hidden under my coat. Gathering my thoughts, I opened the door and went into the workshop.

When I entered the workshop, I immediately felt the contrast with the temperature outside. It was so hot in the workshop that I even undid the top buttons on my coat. Not seeing anyone behind the counter, I began to inspect the workshop. A lot of interesting things were hung on the walls made of something similar to a brick. Swords, axes, spears, shields, armor designed for different physiques and even a document attached to the wall stating that this institution has the right to sell goods. Turning my head forward, I saw how shadows similar in shape to burning flames were visible from the back room. The seller's counter attracted me next. I didn't see anything on it except a silver desk bell. I got close to the bell and pressed it, causing it to make a characteristic sound.

A rough male voice rang out from the back room, "Sister, a buyer has come to us!"

From somewhere above, a slightly irritated female voice rang out, "I'll be right there!"

I leaned one hand on the counter of the seller, and focusing my gaze at one point, I began to wait. Soon, a mare with blue fur and beige mane came into the room with a relaxed gait. She opened her mouth to say something, but I quickly interrupted her.

"Do you know who this belongs to?" I asked, taking out the dagger and putting it on the table.

After my question, the mare changed dramatically. She lost her relaxed gait and made a focused face as if her brain was working at maximum.

"Why do you need confidential information about one of our customers?" She asked very carefully, as if probing the ground.

I need to simplify. People like short and clear answers that him doesn't have to think about. I need to say "murder weapon". No, it's a bad idea if there was a murder, the press would talk about it. Oh, I have an idea!

"This weapon belongs to the assailant of a highly placed person. The attacker acted in a group and is now being searched for. "

For a brief moment, surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly prepared an answer, "Then why is the captain of the guard personally seeing the investigation? Especially considering that in Manehatten such cases are handled by the local police."

I don't know practically anything about Equestria legislation, so she has an advantage. Unfortunately, I will have to go even deeper into this swamp. A swamp of lies.

"Personally, Princess Luna sent me here to investigate as a proxy. While I'm talking to you right now, the first infantry regiment of the Night Guard is busy guarding a classified facility. In addition, the sixth, twenty-fourth and thirtieth infantry platoon of the Solar Guard, along with their commanders, are now busy searching in the immediate vicinity. "

Throughout the conversation, she believed more and more in my lies, but the last sentence ruined everything "Then why is there no news about this?"

Okay, the last part with investigations in platoons was a bad idea, but there is success or, more correctly, there was. I've lived too little in Equestria to talk about the level of censorship, so this option goes to the trash. Precisely! Undercover work, how did I not think of it right away!

"The sixth, twenty-fourth and thirtieth infantry platoon of the Solar Guard are working undercover."

"Then why aren't you undercover?"

I spread my hands to the sides showing myself in all its glory, "I will not be able to disguise myself with all my desire. Therefore, I act independently in the designated area. You disappoint me, Miss, I thought you were smart. "

She believed my lie but still resorted to another method of refusal "Do you really think that I remember every customer by name?"

If you didn't remember, then this conversation simply wouldn't have happened. The book should be.

"But you must have a customer accounting book." I said, moving closer to her and looking straight into her eyes.

"No, we don't have anything like that." She replied, copying my gesture.

Maybe there really is no customer accounting book? No, it should be! I need solid proof. Something that can be wrapped in the shell of the real law of the project.

""In the kingdom of Equestria, which is under the control of the diarchy, there are strict restrictions on the provision of weapons to civilians. Any institution must pass a commission and regularly give reports to the central government on the amount sold. You must have a customer accounting. " I finished by poking her in the nose.

She hung for a second without answering anything, which I took as an opportunity for a finishing attack.

"Where is the customer accounting book located? Maybe I should go check it out myself? " I asked, already starting to walk deeper into the workshop.

She seemed to have completed the reboot and immediately stood in front of me "The second subparagraph of the twenty-eighth paragraph of the criminal code of Equestria states that any penetration into the premises without the permission of the official owner is considered an attempted robbery. The term for non-ponies can reach up to two years. One more step forward and our next meeting will be in court."

I felt my hand involuntarily clench into a fist. Some more bloodthirsty part of me has already begun to think about what to do. It will be incredibly simple. Pretend that I'm putting all my weight on my right leg so that I can then suddenly hit with my left hand. One blow will bleed her nose and. . .

NO. I need to maintain the reputation of someone who always sticks to the deal. Besides, it is now more profitable for me to cooperate than to engage in confrontation. If I wanted to attack her and remain unnoticed, it would be too risky

Gritting my teeth, I started to turn around to leave. During the U-turn again, the bloodthirsty part began to make a plan. A roundhouse kick just like in an action movie! I shook my head, dismissing the thought and picked up a thin dagger from the table. I returned it to its rightful place and started to leave the store. With each step, it was more and more difficult for me to restrain my aggression, but I was able to get to the exit. After leaving the store, a thought immediately formed in my head.

This is a defeat.

"Goddammit!" I shouted, striking another blow at the trash can. Another dent formed in the tank, this time more impressive than the last one, but surprisingly the trash can still did not fall. I took a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm down and collect my thoughts. Calming down a little, I leaned against the wall in search of some clue, but I was interrupted by a sound comparable to the roar of an animal. Oops, this is my stomach.

I took a couple of steps away from the wall and pulled out a map to find a place to eat. Among the many eateries and restaurants with obscure names, I found the only more or less suitable place. Farmers' market located in the so-called trading zone. I put the map back in my pocket and memorized the route and moved to the designated goal.

After going to the market, I was able to find a bench where it is very convenient to monitor the workshop and at the same time remain invisible. Also, on the way I went to the flea market and bought an alarm clock there so as not to miss a meeting with the mayor and as an addition to the wardrobe I bought winter gloves that are designed for minotaurs. The gloves turned out to be slightly large for me, but not critical. Now I'm sitting on a bench and throwing one leg over the other eating what I bought as food. Three apples and two green bananas. The apples have long since run out and went to the wounded trash. There was only one green banana left. I barely bent the top of the banana so as to remove the skin of the banana and threw it into the trash can. Having finished with the banana skin, I started the main meal. After biting and chewing a piece of banana, I almost didn't feel the taste. Although what did I expect? The green color of the banana indicates that starch has not yet become sugar. The main thing is that it is not as sweet as usual.

I wiped my hands on my pants and got to my feet. The light in the workshop went out a long time ago, so I have the opportunity to implement my plan. I walked with a calm gait to the alley and constantly turned around to fix any threat. After making sure that there was no threat nearby, I ran the rest of the distance to the alley with a light run. Once in the alley, I looked up at what I needed. Window. Fortunately, the alley turned out to be narrow enough for me to fully realize the idea. I rested my back on one side of the alley and my feet on the other. Taking a small step with my right foot, I moved a little higher. Repeating this process several times, I got to the window I needed. When I got to the window and was about to open it, I was met with disappointment that the window was closed. I turned around to make sure that no one was watching me. Having made sure of this, I kicked the window with all my might, causing it to break into many pieces.

I immediately climbed into the room that was open to me and began to examine it. Despite the lack of lighting, I could still see a large desk in which there were three drawers. Turning my head to the right, I saw a single wooden door. Before doing anything, I listened for any sounds around me. To my horror, I heard footsteps along with dissatisfied muttering. I looked around in a panic and realized one sad thing. There are only two ways out of this room. Through the window or through the door where the mumbling comes from. A hopeless situation. When an animal is in a corner, it uses everything.

Well, I have a room key, a phone, two bags of gold in each of which about seven hundred and fifty bits and an alpha sphere. Task: leave the place without leaving valid evidence and preferably not kill anyone. A murder right after my arrival may arouse suspicion.

I instinctively put my thumb in my mouth and started biting her trying to calm my nerves. This is definitely the most difficult episode in Equestria for me at the moment. I began to press my finger with my teeth even harder, almost punching through my new gloves. As the steps approached, I began to put even more pressure on my thumb to such an extent that my teeth pierced the glove and bit into the finger, letting a little blood. As if the engine had received fuel, the brain was finally able to give a solution.

If we assume that one bit weighs at least ten grams, then with an amount of five hundred it will already be a mass equal to five kilograms. Perhaps it's a test of will and therefore I don't feel overloaded from two similar bags, but still the solution remains one. I need to hide in a corner and stab in the back of the head with a bag. There may be hundreds if not thousands of such bags in the city, no traces will remain, and besides, if you try hard enough, I can cut down him without killing.

I pulled my finger out of my mouth and walked to the door, pulling a bag of gold out of my pocket on the way. Looking closer at the door, I saw that its hinges are on the left and, accordingly, the door opens to the left. I ran into the left corner of the room and waited for the enemy to approach. Literally a second later, a pony whose color I couldn't make out because of the darkness came into the room. He went to the window and stared at the shards. I looked into the gap between the door and the wall and seeing that there was no one there, I started to approach the pony. Having reached the distance of the blow, I raised my hand and strongly restraining myself hit the bag on the back of his head. After my blow, the stallion seemed to go limp and almost fell to the floor, but I picked him up with both hands so as not to make too much noise. I checked his pulse just in case. There is a pulse.

Thank God

Taking the pony like a big dog, I carried him deep into the house, focusing on the places where the lighting was turned on. Carefully passing through several corridors, I reached an open bedroom in which the light was turned on. I carefully put the pony on the bed and covered him with a blanket. Having finished with this, I tiptoed out of the room, turning off the light on the way.

In the end, I got to the room with the table again. I went to the desk and opened the top drawer. In it I saw several folders with documents and took them all to look at. Shifting the folders with the documents back into the drawer, I found an interesting copy for me. A thick folder labeled customer accounting book. I opened the folder and started actively searching for something with the mention of the word dagger.

An engraved dagger. This doesn't fit. A dagger decorated with precious stones. It doesn't fit either. A dagger with a thin blade. That's what I need!

I took a closer look at the order of the dagger with a thin blade and began to read the document.

Number: one hundred and fifty-two. Date: 3MAR995. Condition: No payment required. Client: a mercenary of the cleansing sword organization. Order: A pair of daggers with a very thin blade. Type of payment: cooperation agreement between Cleansing Sword and Scarlet Legion.

I started looking for something on which I could record information. Opening the middle drawer, I saw several empty sheets of paper and immediately took one of them. I closed the middle drawer and moved on to the lowest one. There were various stationery items in the lowest drawer, but I only paid attention to the pencil. Taking a pencil and an empty piece of paper, I began to rewrite the information from the document. When I finished copying, I took the piece of paper and folded it in half so that it would fit in my pocket. I took the document and put it back in the folder and put the folder into its original place.

I took a few steps away from the table and began to examine the room for traces. Not noticing any traces, I slowly and cautiously approached the window. When I got to the window, I climbed out through it into the streets and descended in the same way as I climbed. After going down and looking around, I went towards the hotel.

Turning from side to side, I was met only by darkness and cold. At night, the amount of snow has increased significantly and now it is difficult to even just move around. Fortunately, I was able to break through the snowy haze and got to the hotel. Opening the door, I immediately felt warm and not wanting to stay on the cold street, I quickly ran into the hotel. Upon entering the hotel, I immediately went to my room, but a man's voice called out to me.

"Stop!"

I turned my head to the side and saw the stallion who gave me the number yesterday. Turning to him, I began to say, "What do you need?"

"You have to pay for the room." He said showing a hoof gesture hinting that I have to pay.

I sighed and started putting a hundred bits on the table. After finishing giving my money, I started climbing the stairs and got to the second floor. After walking a few more steps down the corridor, I reached my room and opened it with a key. Going into the room and closing the door behind me, I pulled out the newly purchased alarm clock and set it for twelve o'clock in the afternoon. When I finished with the alarm clock, I carefully took off my coat and hung it on a hanger in the closet. When I was done with this, I lay down on the bed, covered myself with a blanket and closed my eyes. Soon, I was overtaken by a peaceful, dreamless sleep.